Clara Joetta McNair, 74, Rockingham, NC passed on Monday, February 23, 2026.  The Homegoing Celebration will be held at 2pm Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Ashley Chapel AME Zion Church 332 Mizpah Rd, Rockingham NC 28379 burial will follow at Waymon Chapel AME Zion Church 461 Ghio Rd, Hamlet, NC 28345 the repast will be at the Waymon Chapel Faith Center located on site.

Public viewing, Friday, February 27, 2026,12 - 5pm at Nelson Funeral Home, 1021 E. Washington Street, Rockingham, NC  28379.

The family will receive friends and visitors at 114 Lincoln Ave., Rockingham, NC  28379.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.nelsonfuneralservice.com.  Nelson Funeral Service is serving the family. 

Local Florist:  

Hillside Florist: 910-997-4028, 216 E. Franklin St., Rockingham, NC  28379

Boe's Florist:  910-895-3139, 167 Entwistle 3rd Street, Rockingham, NC 28379

Priscilla's Florist:  910-895-5642, 1032 B E. Washington Street, Rockingham, NC  28379

Clara Joetta Nicholson McNair affectionately known as “Joetta” to family and “Joe Joe” to her grandchildren was the daughter and third born child of the late Hoover and Doris Nicholson. Clara was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Moore County, NC on August 12, 1951, and departed this earthly life to her forever heavenly home on February 23, 2026, in Charlotte, NC at Atrium Hospital.

Clara accepted Christ at an early age and attended Ashley Chapel AME Zion Church in Rockingham, NC, where she was an active participant in various church activities until her health would not allow her to attend in person, but she continued to attend through social media.

Clara received her education in the public schools of Richmond County, NC and was a graduate from Richmond Community College where she received her degree in early childhood.

Clara met the love of her life Louis McNair in Rockingham, NC and they were united in marriage on June 8, 1968, in Bennettsville, SC. During their 57 years of marriage, they created a home full of love, a family and many memories with their children and grandchildren.

Clara had many interests such as fishing, baking, sewing, crocheting, she also enjoyed playing games and putting puzzles together. She loved watching movies on the Sci-Fi channel and facetiming her children and grandchildren daily, but she found her true passion when she began volunteering at UCCA headstart as her children started school. Volunteering at UCCA headstart led to a career where she got her CDL license and began driving the bus, but she didn’t stop there Clara advanced her career to teacher assistant which led to her going back to school. Clara obtained a degree in early childhood in 2006 at the age of 54 and became a teacher with UCCA headstart. She retired March 1, 2018, after 32 years of faithful service.

Clara is preceded in death by her parents Hoover and Doris Nicholson, two brothers Kennedy Nicholson and Charles Nicholson, one sister Maxine Ratliff and one grandchild Jaylan McNair.

Forever cherishing her memory are her loving and devoted husband of 57 years, Louis Junior McNair of the home, six children, Louis(Rita)McNair of Upper Marlboro, MD, Doris Gee of Rockingham, NC, William McNair of Charlotte, NC, Tonia(Norman) Butler of Columbia, SC, Paula McNair of Kannapolis, NC, Frederick(Syreeta)McNair of Charlotte, NC, eleven grandchildren, Kendra McNair, Quinten Stroman, Hakeem Gee, Jada Stroman, Brittanie Barnes, Camry Brown, Tommiea Barnes, Ny’kira Gee, Di’Aysia Gee, Tommie Barnes, Shyheim Gee, seven great-grandchildren, one uncle Alexander Bright of Rockingham, NC, two sisters Cynthia Nicholson of Charlotte, NC, Lisa Smith of Rockingham, NC and one brother Frank(Andrea) Nicholson of Charlotte, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and a devoted friend Terance Hornes.